New coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have been busy overhauling since getting hired in the winter by turning over more than half of the 90-man roster.

That sets up competitive training camp battles between players brought in by the old regime under former GM Trent Baalke and new faces. Here we’ll offer a quick preview of some of the most intriguing battles for roster spots come training camp.

Vance McDonald vs. the field

(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

McDonald’s gotten plenty of ink this offseason after Shanahan and Lynch confirmed he was being discussed with other teams in trade talks during the NFL draft. But no deal was struck and McDonald faces the awkward situation of coming back to San Francisco knowing the new regime isn’t sold after Baalke signed him to a five-year extension in December.

The 49ers brought in three new tight ends to compete with the 2013 second-round pick and fellow incumbents Garrett Celek and Blake Bell. Logan Paulsen was signed in free agency before Iowa’s George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round. Louisville’s Cole Hikuntini was a prize of the undrafted free agent class, landing $110,000 in guarantees from San Francisco.

Paulsen and Kittle received the most work with the first team in spring practices open to reporters while Hikutini looks like the most natural pass catcher among the group. McDonald remains the most physically gifted but will have to overcome his famously inconsistent hands if he wants to stick around.

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